draft sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "draft sentence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a preliminary version of a sentence that is subject to revision or editing. Example: "Before finalizing the report, I need to create a draft sentence that summarizes the main findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Another 181 changes either exaggerated or emphasized scientific uncertainties, such as changing "will" to "may" in the draft sentence "Warming temperatures will also affect Arctic land areas".

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Young people carrying knives who film the humiliation of their victims for social media could face more severe punishments under draft sentencing guidelines published for England and Wales on Thursday.

The Guardian

(She's attracted to the freedom that comes with a multi-platform definition of writing because she doesn't have the patience to draft sentences until they're perfect, preferring the spontaneity of capturing unplanned beauty on camera).

Huffington Post

At least for me, they don't serve the sound of a drafted sentence as well as flat-out substitutes, pro-tem inventions.

The New Yorker

Rogers, the second pick in the 2003 draft, was sentenced to 93 days in jail in January for violating a court order to stay sober.

The New York Times - Sports

But at some point during the bill's drafting, a sentence was slipped in that gives a regulator powers to act against sites "making prohibited material available on the internet to persons in the United Kingdom" – a clause that has somehow escaped any debate.

The Guardian

Four months after the jury's verdict, Gordon drafted a sentencing order.

The New Yorker

C.I.A. analysts drafted four sentences describing "demonstrations" in Benghazi that were "spontaneously inspired" by protests in Cairo against a crude video lampooning the Prophet Muhammad.

The New York Times

This is a good time to make a reverse outline: working off your first draft, write a sentence or two for each scene or chapter.

WikiHow

He was convicted of draft evasion and sentenced to five years in prison, a sentence subsequently overturned by the Supreme Court, after Ali endured four years in internal exile and a legal battle tougher than fighting Liston, Joe Frazier and George Foreman combined.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1961, he refused the military draft and was sentenced to three years in prison.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, use "draft sentence" to clearly indicate a preliminary version that is subject to change. This term is useful in collaborative writing environments or when providing feedback on written work.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "draft sentence" as a polished, finalized statement. Ensure that it's clear to your audience that the sentence is still under development and may be subject to revisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draft sentence" functions as a noun phrase, where "draft" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "sentence". It describes a sentence that is in a preliminary or unfinished state, indicating it is subject to revision. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "draft sentence" denotes a preliminary version of a sentence that's still subject to change. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for use in a variety of writing contexts. While not exceptionally common, it is utilized across diverse domains, including news, science, and collaborative writing environments. To add precision to your writing, consider using alternatives like "preliminary sentence" or "rough sentence" when appropriate. Always ensure that a "draft sentence" is not presented as a finalized statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary sentence

Replaces "draft" with "preliminary", emphasizing the sentence's initial and provisional nature.

rough sentence

Substitutes "draft" with "rough", highlighting the sentence's unfinished and unpolished state.

first version of the sentence

Rephrases "draft sentence" to explicitly state it's the initial version.

initial sentence outline

Indicates a basic structure or plan for a sentence that requires further development.

sentence under revision

Highlights the ongoing editing process of the sentence, rather than its initial form.

proposed sentence

Emphasizes that the sentence is being put forward for consideration or trial.

sentence in progress

Focuses on the ongoing creation of the sentence.

sentence sketch

Implies a basic, underdeveloped sentence, similar to a sketch in visual arts.

unfinished sentence

Highlights the incomplete aspect of the sentence.

experimental sentence

Suggests that the sentence is being tried out to see if it works.

FAQs

How can I use "draft sentence" in a sentence?

You can use "draft sentence" to refer to a preliminary version of a sentence, such as "The editor suggested I revise my "draft sentence" to improve clarity."

What's a good alternative to "draft sentence"?

Alternatives include "preliminary sentence" or "rough sentence", both of which convey the idea of an unfinished or initial version.

Is it appropriate to cite a "draft sentence" in academic writing?

No, a "draft sentence" is by definition not a finalized or polished piece of writing. Citations should generally be reserved for published or formally presented works.

What's the difference between a "draft sentence" and a "final sentence"?

A "draft sentence" is a work in progress, while a "final sentence" is the polished, edited, and approved version intended for publication or formal presentation.